Using standards and plans

Standards support interoperability, providing a common approach for systems and data. This creates an open and fair environment.

They provide a framework to scale solutions more safely, securely and efficiently. They can help provide the 'how' of implementation. Standards can also help scale solutions when place owners might have already determined the 'why'.

If you apply Standards, you:

• will be better equipped to deliver pilots and staged rollouts of technology solutions. When you find a solution that works, you can scale quickly.
• won't be 'locked' into a single solution or provider. This means you will be able to keep pace as technology changes.
• you will be able to consolidate your data and share it with other platforms and organisations.

The family of ISO 37100 standards are the building blocks of creating sustainable or 'smart' cities and communities.

You can find out detailed information about standards and the role they play in supporting Smart Places by reading Smart Places Playbook Standards (PDF 600.18KB).

Types of standards and their benefits

Data standards

A data standard is a set of guidelines, specifications or rules. For a specific domain or industry, they define how data should be:

• structured
• formatted
• represented
• exchanged.

Using data standards establishes a common language and structure. This in turn allows multiple datasets to be combined and compared.

By using common data standards, you can:

• improve data quality
• streamline data integration processes
• enhance the ability to share data
• enable efficient and accurate data analysis.

Governance standards

Governance standards help organisations meet their responsibilities and stated objectives. They provide:

• guiding principles
• frameworks
• indicators.

These are useful for helping organisations to evaluate, monitor and measure compliance.

For example, the ISO/IEC 27014:2020 Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection provides guidance on how to evaluate and monitor information security-related processes.

Management system standards

Management standards provide guidance and recommendations on processes and procedures. They may be used within an area or across a range of disciplines. A popular management standard is the ISO 9000 – Quality management. This standard sets out processes and procedures to deliver consistent products and services.

Technical standards

Technical standards provide technical specifications related to a product or service. It may include specific measurements or performance requirements.

Visual standards

Digital Trust for Places and Routines (DTPR) is an open-source communication standard. It seeks to increase transparency and accountability for digital technology in public places. 

The creators of DTPR Helpful Places have developed a unified taxonomy and visual language. It seeks to communicate:

• what tech is in a place
• how it is used
• what it will be used for.

It also provides opportunities for citizens to follow up and learn more or provide feedback.

Having a smart strategy and plans

To have the best chance of successfully implementing a smart place or smart solution, include a reference in the relevant strategy or plan.

This might mean including references to smart technologies, smart places or innovative solutions.

The relevant strategies or plans could include a:

• local council Community Strategic Plan
• local council Local Strategic Planning Statement
• standalone smart place strategy
• precinct plan, masterplan, strategy or blueprint.

• Technical and strategic standards published by Standards Australia
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards such as:
  • ISO 37100:2016 Sustainable cities and communities – Vocabulary
  • ISO 37101:2016 Sustainable development in communities – Management system for sustainable development
  • ISO 37106:2021 Sustainable cities and communities – Guidance on establishing smart city operating models for sustainable communities
  • ISO 37122:2019 Sustainable cities and communities – Indicators for smart cities
  • ISO/IEC 27014:2020 Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection – Governance of information security
  • ISO/IEC TS 27570:2021 Privacy protection – Privacy guidelines for smart cities
  • SA TS 5386:2024 Multi-function poles

NSW Government policies and strategies

• The NSW Government Data Strategy guides the use and management of data across government.

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